RON SMITH STORIES

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Barry and Sherry Ascher's Ron Stories
From Sherry: One of my fondest memories of Ron is when we first met 14 years ago in a restaurant in Binghamton, NY.  We instantly began laughing and talking and laughing and talking.  Ron made all the jokes. We felt like we knew one another for so long.
 
Then we proceeded to Ron and Karyn's house where Karyn and I started dancing to old rock and roll songs all around the living room like two school girls.  Ron and Barry shook their heads.  They  both expressed to each other the fact that we would definitely be a family who clearly understands and loves one another.
 
Another Ron story I would like to share takes place at the wedding of Michelle and Steve.  The videographer came around to our table which included Ron, Karyn, Sheila, Mickey, Doug, Carole, Barry and myself.  The videographer asked Barry to say a few words.  Barry mentioned from his heart how Ron is such a wonderful man and we are so lucky to be related.  When Ron was interviewed shortly after, he said how fortunate he is to be in such a wonderful family. We realized both Ron and Barry mentioned the same thing after we watched the video. They both had strong feelings for one another and felt the same way towards the family.
 
We miss Ron dearly and will always think of him.

 
From Barry: The day after Stacey and Aleck's wedding in Binghamton, NY, family and friends were invited to a brunch in the Holiday Inn Hotel.  I needed to clean my glasses so I asked Sherry if she had a tissue.  Ironically Ron walks in the room with eyeglass solution and a roll of paper towels.  He walked over to every table offering his services.
 
This is the kind of superb man Ron was.  I truly miss him and he will always be in my heart.

Another Ron story. Ron knew I loved white fish.  When Sherry and I visited Ron and Karyn one weekend, the girls went to the mall. Instead of going with them to the mall Ron says to me,  "Let's take a ride together."  We ended up going to the bagel shop in the shopping center and he bought me white fish to take back home.  He always felt happy when we were happy and we enjoyed every moment together.
 

Jerry and Rhoda Ascher's Ron Story

A guy named “RON”

We always looked forward to the drive upstate to Binghamton
We would spend time with Annie, Karyn and a guy named “RON”
If we were asked what are you doing this weekend for fun
We'd say its vacation time for us up in Binghamton
They'd ask - what do you do in Binghamton
Hear Annie sing, shop with Karyn and laugh with “RON”
On Friday we tried to get everything done
So early Saturday we could be on the run
Sometimes on Friday we got whitefish and salmon
And Saturday, hot bagels, the great Jewish bun
By noon on Saturday we felt the beautiful Binghamton sun
As we unloaded our luggage and stuff at the house of Karyn and “RON”
I'd ask Karyn and Rhoda what is the plan?
Is it a mall, a buffet or is it Wegman?
We'd wait for “RON” to perform the day's last exam
Karyn's on the phone, into the car, we're meeting at Sam's
With Karyn and Rhoda it was have card will shop
“RON” went to the books - his usual stop
After some time in Sam's we loaded the cars
Then back to the house to unload cartons, bottles and jars
And before “RON” could put down his attaché
On the road to campus plaza the parkway buffet
An hour and a half at the parkway Chinese restaurant
Things like T'sos chicken, lo mein and soup with wontons
Very satisfied we went home to relax
But soon the Pegs sing, we'd better make tracks
So were back in the car and we are on the road
To see the Pegs and Crosbys put on a show
It's now 10 0'clock we want to stay awake
So it's off to Dennys for coffee and cake
To Karyn and “RON’S” house we all go back
A full day of activity its time to hit the sack
In the morning when we are all awake
It's bagels, lox, cream cheese, salads, coffee and cake
Always a lively time with" RON’S" great wit
With “RON” on the scene it's a laugh a minute
While shopping in Wegman's walking aisles far and near
“RON” parked himself in a comfortable lounge chair
When most people visit their child at Binghamton
It’s a hassle, it’s a schlep, it’s no fun
But for Rhoda, Jerry and our family it was great times at Binghamton
Because of two wonderful people -a woman named Karyn and a guy named “RON”
 

Francis and Miriam Wu's Ron Story
From Francis: I found out something about Ron by accident a number of years ago. One night we were at their house in Vestal and Ron gave me a very thorough rundown of his experiences with speakers for sound systems.  I later  bought a set of the Bose speakers he had in the house and I still use them.  Of course I had no idea of his acoustic expertise until that night.  That's Ron...  He surprises you.
 
Every time Ron sees me he of course is concerned about the Earth:
What's shaking?  He'd ask.  Unlike many other people I meet he is not hoping to hear that the earth is becoming shakier!
Francis Wu
Seismologist in the not-very-shaky Binghamton
 
From Miriam: After Stacey's bridal shower Ron was packing the car with items that should remain in Binghamton for the wedding.  I handed him a box containing the Lladro figurine for the top of the wedding cake, and told him to put it in a safe place.  With a sly glance toward  Karyn, and raising his voice slightly in her direction he replied, "Let's put in a place that nobody ever goes.  Let's put it in the oven!"
 

Allison (Wu) Gingo's Ron Stories
My fondest memories of Ron are: his forever witty jokes and clever sense of humor, his calming presence, his kindness and help to Stacey for her papers and projects, and his love for Karyn.

I also remember when I was at College of Wooster, he found a shirt and it was supposed to be a Wu-Tang shirt, but he got it changed to Wu-Wear and it was in my school's colors-- black and yellow! I still have the shirt.

My other fond memories are of him dancing at my wedding wearing an Indian feather dress hat (to YMCA). Also his sweet tears of pride and joy at Stacey's wedding.

 

Richard and Joke Johnson's Ron Story
From Dick: We were talking about how husbands treated their wives in the  morning.  Joke told that I bring her coffee in bed every morning.

Ron spoke up.  “I tell Karyn every morning, ‘I love you…. and I’m  sorry.’”

“Sorry?” we asked.  “Sorry for what?”

“How should I know?” Ron replied.  “Sorry for something that happened, or that will happen.  She can always find something.  So I always say it.”  Ron gave a knowing smile.

So now I say, “Here’s coffee.  And I love you.  And I’m sorry.”
 

Pat FitzGerald's Ron Story
My favorite Ron story is actually on ongoing saga during the time I worked with him.  I first met Dr. Ron in 1989 when I started working for OptiKal, managing the Northgate Plaza store.  He immediately made me feel at ease, treated me as a valued professional, and delighted me with his humor, super-intelligence, and his love of classical music.
 
If he had an open spot in his schedule, he would often tell me that he had a couple of errands to do, and disappear out the door.  I often wondered if he had decided to take the rest of the day off, when he was gone for quite a long time.  He would eventually arrive back at the office in time for his next appointment, bearing a large paper bag from the Hallmark Store in the plaza.  He would spend AGES looking through all the greeting cards, just to find the perfect card for a particular person on a particular occasion.  Doc and I celebrated our birthdays within a week of each other, and at one time we were talking about birthdays, when I mentioned that my birth certificate said I was born on March 18.  My mother had told me that I was actually born at 11:50 p.m. on March 17, but that I was born at home in the Ozarks, and "Aunt Effie", the area Baby Lady delivered me.  By the time she got me cleaned up, tended to Mom, and tidied up, she wrote down the time of birth as it was then, rather than the actual time of birth.  So I told Doc that I actually celebrated for an entire week, just to make sure I had the right day.  Lo and behold, he sent me a birthday card each day for a week, as he said, to make sure HE had the right day.
 
Doc was generous to a fault.  He would never charge me or my family for vision examinations, and when I got insistent upon it (after I retired), he told me just to "make me some apple-cinnamon jelly to take to Steven, because he really enjoys it." 
 
My life is much richer for my association with Doc, and the world is a much better place because he was here.  I shall miss him dearly.

 

Mickey and Sheila Myers's Ron Stories
In 1993 at Stacey's high school graduation, Ron and Karyn had a barbecue at their Vestal home to celebrate. Ron, as you all know, always dressed to be comfortable in his own style which wasn't always what Karyn would have liked. On the day of the party, Ron had to work very hard cleaning the garage, front yard, back yard, and other various jobs. When he was finished, he came into the house and Karyn said to him, "I can't believe you would dress like this for your daughter's party. Ron said okay, he would change. About 3-4 hours later, when it was about time for the party to start, Karyn's niece was standing by the window in the den and said to Karyn, "Where is Uncle Ron?" Karyn said, "I don't know, I haven't seen him." At that time the doorbell rang and, thinking it was a guest for the party, Karyn went to answer the door. There stood Ron dressed in a full tuxedo. He looked at Karyn and she said, "Better." He wore it all evening, greeting guests. That was Ron at his subtle best; the one we all loved. Ron, we love you and will always miss you.

Another story. Whenever we would visit Binghamton, the four of us always ended up playing a card game called Hand and Foot, which is similar to Canasta. Karyn and I (Sheila) were always partners because we play the game all the time and we knew we could beat them. Mickey and Ron, as partners, were always so slow that they drove us crazy. We kept telling them they were lousy players. One night we played 3 games. We couldn't believe they won them all. Ron looked at us and said, "Wow, it must be awful to lose to the two worst players." Ron, I hope you find a game in heaven and remember, in our book you will always be a winner.

 

Kevin Guyette's Ron Story
I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Ronald Smith only once, and it stands out in my mind as a testament to a combination of human kindness and perfection. I'm sure that this one encounter defines both him and his wife.

I approached Karyn at Parlor City Restaurant just prior to her ordering lunch, having recently found out that her husband was affiliated with the Optikal, also known as "The Eye Guys". I described the frustration I was experiencing with my present set of glasses. She immediately brought out her cell phone, made a phone call, and told me to call her husband after lunch.

Much to my pleasant surprise, upon speaking with him he was able to schedule me that very afternoon.

I drove to Johnson City and was able to get a parking space directly in front of his business. Upon entering I didn't even get a chance to sit down because he was so prompt. He came right out, greeted me and took me into his office and began the eye exam.

His professionalism was outstanding. He moved quickly and thoroughly, examining both my present glasses and my eyes. He moved quickly and accurately, pinpointing the exact problems and interestingly enough coming to a conclusion I had reached many years before; he announced, "It's obvious you don't see things the way the rest of the world does." How right he was!

It is equally obvious that had I gone to him years earlier I would have spared myself years of frustration. I would also have had the opportunity to get to know a very nice man.

 

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